ANNAPOLIS, Md.- The last of the 2022 D-III football All-America honors were announced on Friday evening before the Stagg Bowl, as D3football.com released its national honorees. UMHB was well-represented, with seven named All-America, six of whom were seniors.
Quarterback Kyle King completed the trifecta as an All-America selection by the AFCA, Associated Press, and D3football.com, as he was selected to the Second Team. King set new records in four different categories, as he completed 65.2 percent of his passes and tossed 41 touchdowns for 3,676 yards. Wide receiver K.J. Miller was also named to the Second Team after leading the Cru with 74 receptions for 1,088 yards this season. He was the only 1,000-yard receiver on UMHB’s roster, and added 12 touchdowns. Miller finished his career at UMHB as a two-time All-America selection, and was also an AP All-America this season.
The Third Team saw Crusaders selected from both sides of the ball and special teams, with center Jeffery Sims Jr. on the offense, linebacker Durand Hill and defensive end Pete Smith on defense, and kicker Anthony Avila on special teams. Both Hill and Avila were named AP All-Americans on Thursday.
Sims Jr. was key in UMHB’s success this season, leading an offensive line that allowed just 13 sacks; an average of less than one per game. Hill, also an AP All-America, was the only Crusader with over 100 tackles, tallying 124. Smith anchored a defensive front that tallied 29 sacks, as he had 2.0 of his own, and recorded 32 total tackles. Avila was 15-of-19 on field goals, perfect on all three attempts between 40-49 yards, and finished his collegiate career as the program’s all-time leader in field goals made.
Rounding it out on the Fourth Team was defensive end Sante Parker Jr., whose presence as a captain and leader for a young defense proved key. He played in all 14 games, leading the Cru with 19 tackles for loss and alos had 54 tackles. Parker also forced two fumbles and had four quarterback hits. Parker was also an AP All-America honoree and the Region 3 Defensive Player of the Year.
UMHB was ranked No. 4 in the final D3football.com Top 25 poll, released on Saturday, and finished the season with a 12-2 record.
